IL - New Canton - Gerald E. Waligorski, 67: suspect in double homicide & shooting of his in-laws & wife, suspect deceased - Oct 2, 2025

[jypsijemini]

Official Police Press Conference
Video in link above

NEW CANTON, Ill. — UPDATE at 1:05 p.m.: Authorities held a press conference around 1 p.m. in New Canton to provide an update.

Around 6 a.m., the Pike County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call regarding a shooting in the 300 block of Mississippi Street.

When deputies arrived, a woman stated she had been shot by her husband and that he had made threats to harm her parents, who also live in New Canton.

Additional deputies responded to the home of the woman's parents in the 200 block of Monroe Street.

Both parents were found dead in the home.

Resources from Illinois State Police (ISP) and other police agencies arrived and the residences were secured.

ISP SWAT entered suspect Gerald E. Waligorski's, 67, New Canton home on Mississippi Street and found him dead inside.

Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the shootings.

Schools in the areas are no longer on lockdown.

The suspect's wife was taken by helicopter to an area hospital and her condition is unknown at this time.

 

[jypsijemini]

Suspect dead after allegedly shooting and injuring wife, wife’s parents found dead in New Canton​

NEW CANTON, Ill. (WGEM) -The Pike County Sheriff’s Office reported on Thursday that the suspect involved in the shooting in New Canton was found dead in his home.

Sheriff deputy Zack Orr reported Gerald E. Waligorski, 67, of New Canton, was found dead in his home after a report of a shooting in the 300 block of Mississippi Street in New Canton.

Illinois State Police said the Pike County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene at 6 a.m. at the 300 block of Mississippi Street for reports of a person being shot.
Orr reported that upon arrival, they found the suspect’s wife injured from a gunshot wound.

She told police Waligorski had shot her and threatened her parents.

The wife was airlifted from the scene to be treated for gunshot wounds.

Police said they did a wellness check at the wife’s parents house in the 200 block of Monroe Street and found both of the parents dead. ISP said they are investigating it as a double homicide.

Police reported they could not locate Waligorski, and a SWAT Team conducted a search warrant at his residence at the 300 Block of Mississippi Street, where they found him dead.

Officers believed Waligorski was still armed and would not leave the residence. Officers secured the home for approximately five hours.

They said they do not know a motive yet.

 

[jypsijemini]

Couple killed in double homicide in Pike; woman shot and suspect found dead​

Pike County Sheriff's Department officials were called about 6 a.m. Thursday to a residence in the 300 block of Mississippi Street in New Canton after a report of a shooting. Deputies found a woman inside with a gunshot wound.

The yet-unidentified woman, whose condition was unavailable Thursday night, accused Gerald E. Waligorski, 67, of New Canton of shooting her and said he had made threatening comments about her parents, according to a police report.

Deputies then went to the 200 block of Monroe Street to check on the woman's parents, who were found dead inside the house, according to authorities.

Illinois State Police were called in to assist, and they went with deputies to Waligorski's home in the 300 block of Mississippi Street.

Waligorski, who was believed to still be armed, refused to come out of the house, according to authorities. Police secured the scene and urged people to avoid the area.

"Officers are in the area and actively working to bring this matter to a safe resolution," according to a social media post by the sheriff's department about 9 a.m. "We ask [residents] to remain indoors until further updates are provided. We appreciate your cooperation."

About five hours later, police obtained search warrants for the house and a SWAT team made entry. Waligorski was found dead inside, according to state police.

 

[jypsijemini]

Appears to have taken place in quite a small community.

Apple Maps

(Highlighted by me)

Satellite view:
(Highlighted by me)

Township of New Canton
(Overall view from satellite, name added by me)

 

[jypsijemini]

I'm really intrigued by just how small this town is. Its current population is barely over 200...
Data USA (2023)

Correction: The current population stands at 319 in 2025
Population Data: New Canton 2025